While
the true definition varies from expert to expert, hydroponics
is basically the growing of plants without soil. The word
Hydroponic is derived from the Greek words 
Hydro which means water and Ponos
which means labor. True hydroponics is growing plants in water
without any type of media e.g. NFT and Aeroponic, however,
growing plants in soilless media such as coco, perlite rockwool
etc are also classified as hydroponics.

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What
is pH, and how can I test for it?

pH
stands for Potential of Hydrogen and is the symbol
for the hydrogen ion (H+) in liquids. pH has a range from
0 (acidic) -14 (alkaline), with 7 being neutral. For hydroponics
we are aiming for a pH between 5.5 to 6.2 (slightly acidic);
this is suitable for most hydroponic crops. For soil, we want
the pH a little higher but still slightly acidic; around 6.0
to 6.5. Ensuring that the pH remains within this range will
help maintain good plant health. Keeping the pH in this range
ensures that nutrients are readily available to the plant.
Once the grower goes above or below this optimal range certain
nutrients start becoming unavailable to the plant (e.g. iron
deficiencies will appear at a pH of 6.5 and above).

All
hydroponic growers need to test the pH of their nutrient solution
for successful growing. The pH of a solution can be tested
using a standard pH test kit (sample vial with drops of indicator
solution), litmus test strips, or a digital pH meter. Litmus
paper and standard test kits are cheap and easy to use; however,
the degree of accuracy isn't very high. Digital pH meters,
although more expensive than the alternatives, are easy to
use and very accurate.

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What
kind of maintenance is involved with a hydroponic system?

As
with soil-based production, producing crops in hydroponic
systems always requires maintenance. The following list may
seem like a lot of work; however, as you become experienced
most tasks and checks will only take a few minutes each day.

Daily

Check reservoir for water levels, pH and TDS fluctuations.

Check grow room temperatures and humidity percentages.

If you use CO2, the CO2 system should be checked to ensure
that it is working correctly.

Check watering system. If a pump fails it should be replaced
immediately. If drippers are blocked they should be cleaned
or replaced immediately.

Check plants for disease and insect infestations. It is always
best to stop disease and insect outbreaks early. The longer
an infestation is left the more difficult it will be to cure,
yield losses will be high and crop failures are possible.

Check plants for leaf discoloration and deformities that may
be caused by such problems as nutrient deficiencies or nutrient
burn (over feeding), as well as leaf curl from lights being
to close.

Crop hygiene is extremely important. Cut off and discard diseased
leaves. If a plant is badly diseased, it is always better
to throw out one or two plants to control disease outbreaks
than it is to destroy a complete crop. The same applies to
insect infestations, especially spider mites.

Foliar spraying for disease and insect pests should be done
weekly to prevent outbreaks.

End
of each crop

The hydroponics system should be completely sanitized at the
end of each crop. This will minimize disease carry over to
the next crop.

The grow room should be sanitized with insecticides and fungicides.
Walls, floors, ceilings and equipment should be wiped down
to remove insects/eggs and fungi spores. The cleaner the grower
is in his growing room the fewer problems he will have in
the following crop.

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How
do I determine which system is right for me?

There
are many different hydroponic systems available and it is
important that you choose a system that is not only going
to meet your needs but also be compatible with your growing
area. In general, we recommend that novices choose an Ebb
and Flow or a Top Feed/Drip System. These systems are great
for beginners because they are not too complicated and they
will still produce very good results. A few examples of these
are the TurboGarden Ebb and Flow, or a Waterfarm Kit. Aeroponic
and Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Systems are usually only
recommended for intermediate and advanced growers. These systems
require much more experience and general know how
to successfully operate. Also, because aeroponic and NFT systems
use little or no growing medium, you could be in big trouble
if a pump fails or the power goes out for a prolonged period
of time. Growing in these types of systems can be likened
to driving a racecar  youll get to the finish
line faster than normal but if you have an accident the consequences
can be devastating.

The
next factor that you will have to consider is the type of
plant that you are growing. Certain systems will be better
suited for some plants more than others. Smaller varieties
of tomatoes, basil, and certain types of lettuce are very
well suited to Ebb and Flow or Drip Systems. Larger plants
would work very well in Waterfarm kits or BGH Bucket Systems.
Lettuce and strawberries grow exceptionally well in NFT systems.
Lastly, aeroponic systems can be used with most small vegetable
and flower varieties.

Finally,
you will want to consider what type of system is going to
work best with your growing area. You may be working with
as large an area as an entire greenhouse or as small an area
as a closet. It is important to consider which systems will
best fit into your area. Just remember not to cram too many
plants into a given area. A few healthy plants will yield
more than several plants that are overcrowded. Overcrowded
plants will shade each other causing them to stretch, and
the lack of airflow between the leaves will hinder CO2 movement
across the leaves. They will also be at a higher risk of being
infected by molds and mildews. You might be able to 16 heads
of lettuce or basil plants in a 2 x 4 area, but
dont try this with something larger like tomatoes or
cucumbers.

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What
are the advantages and disadvantages to using hydroponics and
growing indoors?

There
are many advantages and disadvantages to gardening indoors
using hydroponics. Lets start off with some of the advantages:

Bigger,
Better, Faster

Growing
hydroponically allows for bigger, healthier plants that usually
grow faster and produce more fruit. When growing indoors and
using the proper lighting, most plants will go from seed to
flower in as little as 3 months or less.

Harvest
fresh fruit and vegetables year round

Since
you are growing indoors with the aid of artificial lighting,
you can decide when to grow. You are not dependent on the
seasons to decide when you can plant and harvest.

Hydroponics
is actually derived from Greek meaning water and
labor. Hydroponic systems do all the work for
you. Simply set the timer and the system automatically delivers
water and nutrients to the plants.

There
are also a few disadvantages to gardening indoors:

Cost

Gardening
indoors is more expensive than traditional gardening. The
initial costs are much more significant and maintenance costs
will also be a factor.

Time

Hydroponic
gardens will not take up all of your time, but you will need
to pay more attention to the system then you would to plants
growing outdoors. You will need to check your pH frequently,
change out your nutrients once a week and perform general
maintenance on your garden to achieve optimal performance.

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What
does an air stone do?

An
air stone helps to provide oxygenate the nutrient solution.
This oxygen is extremely beneficial to the root zone and helps
to promote fast, healthy growth as well as prevent disease.
This is one of the main reasons that plants growing in a hydroponic
system grow so much faster than plants in soil. If you are
growing in soil you can still reap some of the rewards of
oxygen by simply oxygenating your water before applying it
to the soil.